Advice needed for my friend's two horses

[alisonduke]

When I got to the yard last night my friend was in tears having just had the vet out to her two horses.
One is a big cob type horse who isn't getting any younger and when he comes out of the stable he is very sore and lame on his legs. The vet has suggested injections as a last resort as she has tried supplements and it doesn't look hopeful.
Her other horse is a 2 year old who is having growth spurts and is dragging a back leg now and again which we assume is locking stifle but he has also been collapsing on the yard as if he loses the use of his back legs and he has also been seen to do this in the field, or at least start to lose a leg and then recovers. The vet thinks it's wobblers.
I've said not to rule anything out yet, it's too early to think she will lose them both.
I know people on here have used joint supplements with good results and just wondered if anyone had any good ideas on either problem so I can print this thread off for my friend and give her hope.

[zeldalithgow]

Sorry to heat your of your friends problems with her horses, don't think I've any real advice to offer - does her older horse have to be stabled, he might be less stiff if he can keep moving.

I hope something can be done for both horse

[greydales]

I suppose it dopends on what the problem is, but if it's degenerative changes, has the cob been tried living out?

Dan has problems with all his legs and the vet said it was better for him to keep moving than to stand still in a stable. He said that cobs like Dan who use their legs heavily on the ground are very prone to arthritis and tendon problems (Dan has bog spavins, annular ligament syndrome and calcified tendons!). He is sound in the field although his movement is rather limited.

Sorry to hear about the 2 year old, I don't know much about wobblers as to the prognosis but if you Google it you will get plenty of info. What has the vet said?

[valerie n scout]

oh gosh sounds awful i agree with Zelda could the older horse not live out if rugged x am afraid am not sure about wobblers will he grow out of it x hope she gets some good news soon x

[harleydales]

The 2 year old sounds similar to Apollo - he 'lost' his hind legs as well. Might be worth getting his back and neck checked out?

I agree with the others about the old guy, if he can live out snuggly rugged he would possibly be better. Even when Jenny was at her most wobbly a couple of years ago she was still out.

I hope both horses come right, what a horrible time for your friend.

[alisonduke]

Thanks for your replies. It's difficult looking in as an outsider as I feel there could have been things done differently. The cob would be better out but he apparently has COPD and so the vet has said the damp, cold air won't do him any good. I suggested a barn environment but that would mean finding another yard and I don't know how far she is prepared to go with it all.
Thanks again

[harveydales]

That is very sad about the 2 year old with Wobblers. Not something I know much about either.

I also think the old cob would be better of living out and would have thought damp, cold air is still better for COPD than stable air. Is he on Bute or similar?

Very hard for your friend and for you too.

[mickey]

The only supplement Ive found a difference with for Mickey is riaflex- cortaflex etc didnt touch him. Not cheap but I can tell if I change or run out for a few days. Also dont be afraid of using bute on a regular basis if the vet suggests. Mix had the steroids into the joint and they did help

[mickey]

The only supplement Ive found a difference with for Mickey is riaflex- cortaflex etc didnt touch him. Not cheap but I can tell if I change or run out for a few days. Also dont be afraid of using bute on a regular basis if the vet suggests. Mix had the steroids into the joint and they did help

[southerner]

Copd would usually be better out, so that seems odd. I would rug up and turnout and see how it is in a week or two.

[SuzieP]

I agree with Julie - rug up and turn out. If the vet will prescribe bute it'll help keep the old chap comfortable. You don't say how old he is - but I'm assuming he's retired. Long term bute isn't a good thing generally, but for an old horse coming towards the end of his days it can give some quality back to life.

Bea is doing well on Synequin - prescribed by the vet, but also available loads cheaper online.

[nars]

I've had a horse with COPD and living out certainly is a better environment. I wouldn't use supplements on the youngster until a diagnosis is made as it may be a waste of money. If the hore is insured I'd go for a full body scan and that may give her hope as it may be something simple to sort out.

[alisonduke]

Sad news unfortunately. They brought an x-ray machine up from Newmarket yesterday and it looks as if the youngster broke his neck at some point and the bone spurs are causing the Wobblers. He is going to be put down in the next week or so. She is hoping to donate his body to the horse hospital so that his short life has some meaning.
The vet hasn't been too hopeful about the older horse and my suggestions on keeping him out have been ignored. She does over rug a bit so it's possible the thought of him being outside full time isn't an option even if it does him good
He is on steroid tablets and seems better. He was on 3 bute a day but the vet said that isn't a long term solution. Fingers crossed she gets a least the Winter with him, it would be unbearable to lose 1, never mind 2 near together.

[mrsp]

I like taranet forever freedom(for the old lad) it has really helped Pearl.. however sadly if the younger horse is a wobbler then the prognosis is not too good, your friend must go with her vet. Fingers crossed for them both.

[nars]

What sad news about the 2 year old.